Your comments, as always, are welcomed. Below are addition excerpts from the interviews I conducted this week with the two parties:

JEFF UNAITIS, Time Warner vice president of communications, upstate New York

Overall view: “It’s expensive programming. You have as many people telling you that they would not like to pay for a network that they won’t watch if we did have it available.”

“For all but eight games, our customers are very well served by us and our programming partners, between the broadcasters and ESPN. Hundreds of millions of dollars are paid by cable customers today to bring them the NFL and the games they want to see. Clearly the fact that eight games aren’t going to be available to our customers, at least at this point, recognizing that one of those games involves the Giants, which represents an additional challenge, by and large we still think our customers get far more NFL programming than they did 10 years ago.”

Is the opportunity to acquire NFL RedZone help in negotiations? “That’s putting the cart before the horse. I don’t think our customers have asked for it because they don’t know what it is. They haven’t seen it. I had to be reminded exactly what that was, as well.”

Any comforting words for Giants fans who will miss next Thursday’s game? “Understandably that’s a game they’re going to want to see, and while it is on Thanksgiving, it’s unfortunate that it’s not going to be available.”

Why not put NFL Network on basic cable? “That’s why we created the optional digital sports tier, where a lot of this programming finds a home, and the options for those customers who want to pay those additional few bucks a month an opportunity to see that programming.”

Other issues preventing an agreement: “The NFL Sunday Ticket is something that is still exclusively held by DirecTV, to the extent that we would love to offer to our customers but haven’t been allowed to by the same folks that are asking them to carry the NFL Network.”

In summary: “We certainly value sports programming. We spend a lot of our local resources with our own production, our own staff. Nobody is providing local and regional football coverage like Time Warner cable. We value the sport, just not under the terms and conditions the NFL Network is asking.”

“We haven’t really had a lot of calls from customers asking about or complaining about the lack of the NFL Network. That’s down from past years. People have understood the issue from previous years.”

“It’s a sad situation that ultimately comes down to this: We just think we can do a lot more with those programming dollars and touch a lot more of our customers for the money they’d be asking us to spend. We think we can do a lot of other things that a vast majority of our customers would prefer.”

KIM WILLIAMS, NFL Network chief operating officer

Overall view: “We’ve added to our offering NFL RedZone, which is a newly launched channel. Not only has it changed the nature of the conversation, but it from our perspective has given us something to talk about that we’re excited about, and now that it’s launched is proving, not only to ourselves but the affiliates who signed up for NFL RedZone, that it is an incredibly powerful complementary product.

Did the NFL RedZone help in negotiations? “That’s a nice thing to be talking about. That really did change the nature of our discussions. It probably gave Time Warner a little bit more pause. In the end, they made the decision that they made, but I do think that was a big difference this year.”

If other cable companies could strike a deal, why not Time Warner? “I’m as bufuddled as you. You always try to put yourself in the shoes of the others who are across the table from you. It’s not only smart business negotiation, it’s disingenuous not to do so. I have a really tough time understanding why they’re not able to make the economics work and the business model work, where other operators have, operators that are large and operators that are small. I wish I had a good answer for that.”

Is the sticking point having NFL Network on basic cable? “We have been accepting digital basic deals for quite some time now. Digital growth is important, and we feel it’s a real value-add to our partners when they can offer NFL Network on a digital tier that drives digital boxes and, by the way, all the other revenue streams that come along with digital boxes.”

Any comforting words for Giants fans who will miss next Thursday’s game? “They should know we haven’t given up. We haven’t given up from the get-go. We will continue to figure out ways that allow distributors to make the economics work. If anything, I’d want fans to know that we hear them, we feel their pain, and that we’re doing everything we can to try and make this work.”

Are negotiations currently under way? “We have not been in any meaningful conversations since summer and the beginning of the season.”

What about the argument that the NFL Network’s only value are the eight regular-season telecasts? “The National Football League is about the games. That is our product. It is clearly our crown jewel, but we enjoy year-round ratings.”

In summary: “We enjoy year-round viewership. Our (NFL) combine coverage, our draft coverage is tremendous. Our preseason coverage — we have all the preseason games, in HD, on NFL Network. Some live, some are replays. That is one of our highest-rated months, is August. Our past-the-draft coverage, which takes us from Senior Bowl to the draft, is great content.

“When you think about all of the other platforms, like our VOD offering, we have all the player profiles, it’s very compelling programming. Our America’s Game is Emmy Award-winning. Our coverage of our big events — playoffs, Super Bowl, the Pro Bowl — you get coverage you can’t get anywhere else.”

“I appreciate the argument that our games are valuable, but we launched this network long before we had rights to the games, and it was still powerful programming.”

Pete Dougherty

28 Responses

What a lot of hot air. I’m a sports fan and I like football. I have digital cable, but mainly not for the sports. Would I be willing to pay more for 8 games and red zone? Yes – but not much more. There is not much else on the NFL channel that interestes me. I like the games, not people talking endlessly about them. I would consider paying more if I could choose the games I see on Sunday. Sometimes I think that the Dallas Cowboys play in New York, they’re on here so often. And I think that both Time Warner and the NFL are making good money, so they should both be willing to give a little here.

I feel that those who are used to watching the Giants exclusively on TV all of the time should aggressively be made aware that the NFL Network Giants game will be on WPYX-106.5FM radio.
And I can’t seem to pick up the Sunday afternoon doubleheaders on Sports USA radio anywhere this year. So few games are available on Sunday afternoon television.

Both the government and Verizon are to blame. While FiOS Internet and phone service are available in some parts of the Capital Region, why the government didn’t approve cable television service is something I don’t understand. And if the same network carries the signal for television, Internet, and phone service, I don’t understand why Verizon didn’t build this earlier, when Verizon was bringing FiOS Internet and phone service to the areas that get these services.

People, it is as simple as this. Call Time Warner and cancel the service and switch to DirecTV. That is what I did 6 years ago, DirecTV is much better than TW. Never had a problem in the 6 years I have had it.

I get the sports tier, so I guess it doesn’t really matter to me where the channel ends up, but I have to side with Time Warner on this one. For most people, the NFL Network has at most 24 hours of appealing programming for the entire year. That’s not enough to justify passing on whatever ridiculously high price Time Warner and the NFL eventually agree upon to every subscriber.

(Now if only they would take all the silly non-sports channels and put THEM in a separate tier so I could get them off my bill, that’d be great.)

I will be getting rid of Time Warner Cable real soon, to not broadcast a game of this magnitude is completely obsurd. Whoever this knucklehead is he obviously isn’t a football fan or he would know how frustrating it is, Direct TV will have a new customer really soon. Time Warner sucks anyway, my channels always freeze up. No NFL Network, no time warner.

Bobby Brady says it is as simple as calling Time Warner to cancel its service and switching to DirecTV. Unfortunately, if you live in an apartment, some complexes don’t allow tenants to have a satellite service because of the equipment. So DirecTV or even Dish Network isn’t an option for everyone.

I have to say that this is probably the fairest treatment I’ve seen of the controversy, and kudos to Pete and the TU for giving the warring factions equal time. I’m not buying the NFL’s “for the fans” line though. If they in any sense had the fan’s interests at heart they wouldn’t have yanked a lot of these games from free TV so people of any income could get them.

The minute Verizon runs the cable for FioS TV up here, Time Warner is going to BLEED subs. I’ve moved around a bit and had several different cable providers, DirecTV AND Verizon FioS. Time Warner is by far THE WORST provider I have EVER had – the signal, the quality, the DVR, the interface, the online speed – you name it, they are just not keeping up with the industry. FioS is the superior choice over any of them. I look forward to the day I can leave TWC and its sub-par services behind.

If I remember correctly, 2 years ago one of the local stations picked up the rights to air the Giants-Pats NFL Network Saturday night game (before the NFL decided to let the entire country see the game). Is there any chance of that happening again this time?

@Mike in VA: That will not happen. The Giants-Patriots situation was unique, with the Pats trying to finish the regular season unbeaten. It was a good PR move by the NFL, but not one it likely will repeat.

I wouldn’t expect them to do it nationally, but I was hoping they may allow some stations in the secondary markets (like Albany) to pick it up. The Jets and Giants preseason games are broadcast by NYC stations that aren’t available in Albany, but the feed is shown on the local stations. Sadly, I’ll be traveling from my home in Virginia where I have FIOS to visit family in Albany where I won’t be able to see the game.

CW11 down in Rockland County will be carrying the Giants game as well. Looks like Thursday night might end with me back in the bar watching the game. I heard that the Recovery Room in Albany and Troy will be opening later in the evening to show the game…

@AlbanyHDTV: Excellent post. I will see if I can get an answer on that.

@John Palmeri: I heard the game is on WPIX, which makes us long for the days when that was a part of Time Warner cable. Chances are, though, if PIX was still part of Time Warner, they would black out the game up here.

In regards to Time Warner’s statement saying that we get “far more NFL programming than they did 10 years ago”…well that’s great Jeff, thanks. Would you like a medal? The fact of the matter is that 10 years ago, EVERY Giants game would be on standard cable in the Albany area. It’s their home market!! Giants training camp is in Albany for crying out loud!! You’d think you’d be able to watch all of their games if you wanted to. Time Warner sucks and so does the NFL Network. Thank you both for ruining Thanksgiving this year…

The NY Giants have their summer camp in Albany, which is a mere 100 miles from NYC, however those of us in Albany will not be able to watch the Giants-Broncos game on Thanksgiving Night because Time Warner Cable does not carry the NFL Network. …and NO, I will not get a dish.

Albany TWC recently posted a Channel Change Notice on their website dated 11/16/09. This notice states, “On of before 12/31/09, NBA-TV moves from sports tier to digital basic tier.” How can TWC demand that the NFL be included in a Sports Tier when both NBA and MLB will be on Digital Basic?

I was siding with TWC about the Sports Tier arguement until they have shifted the two major sports networks to Digital Basic, which is what the NFL is asking for in negotiations for the NFL Network.

Why is the NFL witholding the Giants game from its loyal fans in Albany? We should be considered in the “home market” area of the Giants and the game should be shown on local TV, such as it is being shown on WPIX in NYC.

The fact that Giants supporters in Albany cannot watch their team is bad publicity for the NFL. Please allow the game to be shown on a local TV station here in Albany.
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He responded in 10 minutes:

subject Re: Albany NY can’t watch Giants-Broncos on Thanksgiving Day

Mark, I feel your pain…I have shared your thoughts with highest authorities…doubt anything can be done at this juncture, but I appreciate you taking the time to articulate your position…

It’s interesting to watch the two sides play us as chess pieces as they promote their own interests and try to convince us that they’re really fighting for us. The fact is that this is just another money grab by the (Congressionally-sanctioned monopoly–why? I don’t know) NFL. It’s hard to argue that cable operators (and fans) should pay ESPN prices for just 8 football games arbitrarily plucked from the schedule; but that’s the NFL’s position. On the other hand, TW’s position is likely motivated by anger over the NFL’s renewal of its exclusive arrangement with DirecTV. Had the NFL democratized that arrangement, I suspect that this controversy would have been settled too.

They’re both as bad as the banks and Wall Street. A pox on both their houses. (Looking at the bright side: I’m sure this works for bar owners, though!)

By the way, to respond to an earlier post, the reason there’s no Verizon (or AT&T) cable tv service here is because at this point, Verizon doesn’t want to offer it. They’ve chosen not to apply for franchises here which, incidentally, must ultimately be granted if applied for. I think the TU had an article about this a few months ago.

It is just a shame that those of us Giant fans in the Capital District can’t watch our team play on a holiday, a big game to boot! How can this keep happening? The team has it’s training camp here for crying out loud.

I plan on listening in on WPYX PYX 106.7 out of Albany on the radio. Thank you PYX 106!

I blame this on Time Warner Cable, not the NFL Network. If other outlets have managed to work deals with the NFL Network…and not have outrage by their customers regarding rates….then Time Warner could too. Time Warner plays the woe-is-me card all too often.
And I am disgusted with them and I am amazed that some consumers buy into their nonsense. I guarantee one thing: This is my last year this will happen, because by next August, if TW Cable does not have NFL Network, then I am dumping their entire service and getting a dish.

Bill… TWC is not to blame here. You said that if the other major carriers can strike a deal then why cant TWC? So it comes to the most basic saying I heard as a kid… if all your friends jumped off a bridge would you jump to? Me I would say no, I would make sure I had a purachute or something else before I would jump… The other companies or just rolling over and agreeing to terms that they dont want but still take them anyways and make the rates of their customers go up. TWC wants to resolve this this as well but on terms that benefit both the NFL and TWC. why put the channel on a tier that everyone has to pay for when only say 30% of people would watch it. Thats like buying car I dont need so that somone else can use it. It should be on a sports tier just like the NBA channel and MLB network and Tennis Channel. One more note for the hateful out there… as an employee of TWC, there are a lot of football fans that are employees and want the channel as bad as everyone else does, so dont think TWC isnt going to carry cuz they dont want to, they are trying their best to get the network. Believe or not, there are working people at TWC that have your interests in mind. and also remember that dish companies dont have internet or phone service like TWC does, they outsource it to another company. People that have problems with TWC are the ones who dont try to work to get the problem fixed… they just think that TWC has to do everything to make them happy. Most problems with signal or slow internet speeds are usually 95% the customers problem due to bad house wiring, so dont blame TWC for cabling in YOUR house that TWC did not install, blame your house builder. DISH runs new lines on the outside of the house, looks ugly too.

I really wish they would come to an agreement. I am not a Giants fan. I am a Cowboys fan. But since they are a NFC East team, I wanted to see how the game would affect my team. I looked into getting ATT U-Verse, offered here in Dallas. However I would have to pay for HD service and a DVR receiver per room. These things are standard with TWC. So although I hate it, I can’t afford to switch for 8 games. I started looking up conversations about TWC vs NFL Network because there is a game on Christmas that I would love to see. I sure hope they come to some agreement before next season.

As someone who is moving into the area, TWC is pathetic. Currently have AT&T Uverse. One DVR accessible by all the TVs is great! NFL Network is a nice addition. NFL RedZone is how my family has become used to watching games on Sundays. At first it took a bit to get used to as you jumped from game to game but is really exciting way to watch games. Scott Hanson does a great job as the coverage switches between different games. It is well worth the price. NFL Draft coverage is a nice alternative to ESPN’s coverage. Football is America’s number 1 sport easily. It attracts coverage throughout the year.